What were conditions of the south after the civil war?

Answer 1

This is a very good question, and one I could never hope to answer completely. After the Civil War, there were several differnet political camps in the North as to how to deal with the South. Many wanted trials for all Confederate officers and politicians as they were, in their minds, traitors and criminals who needed to be dealt with as such. Others wanted amnesty for the Southerners and thus wanted to integrate them back into American politics as soon as possible, often with serious concessions being made to appease the Southerners. First and foremost, the South needed to be rebuilt physically. Especially in states where the fighting had been particuraly fierce or where the policy of total war was carried out (Sherman's March to the Sea, the destruction of the Shenandoah Valley, etc.), there was little chance of a speedy Southern recovery without serious aid from the North. This often times came in the form of Northern businessmen, who oftentimes attempted to exploit the desperate situation of the Southerners to make greater profits. In time these Northerners were known as carpetbaggers and achieved a very bad reputation in the South, sometimes even being met with violence. If you want to see a real-world example, go to the city of Atlanta and then go anywhere else in Georgia and compare the culture. You will notice that Atlantans are much more "northern" than most of the rest of Georgia, due in large part to the fact that Atlanta had been burned to the ground during the war and afterwards became a major center for Northern industry operating in the South. As a result, the South was forcibly transformed from an almost 100% agrarian society and economy, to one with a much stronger industrial presence. Second there was the issue of what to do with the South's leadership. Jefferson Davis would receive no amnesty and was imprisoned for two years, but the case against him was eventually dropped and he was released. However, he was never again allowed to hold an elected office in the federal government although almost a century after his death this ban was posthumously lifted. Robert E. Lee was likewise banned from military command, but for all intents and purposes was granted amnesty and both men went on to be both popular and successful. What exactly Lincoln's thoughts on the matter were are hard to ascertain given the small piece of metal put in the back of his head, but his successor Johnson generally favored quick restoration of Southern rights and returning Southern property to their original owners in exchange for their oaths of loyalty to the US (with the exception of slaves, who had all been emancipated by the 13th amednment). In fact, the freedmen presented a very difficult problem for the federal government. Though slavery had been abolished, hate against blacks was anything but gone or even dissipated. Many Southerners still felt great resentment towards blacks as the North had viewed them as a reason for the war and of course Southerners viewed the blacks by and large as an inferior race, unworthy or unable to vote intelligably or work freely alongside white men. The federal government however had promised citizenship to all blacks and was thus obligated to defend their rights, which often put them at serious odds with local Southerners. The last thing the country wanted was another war, and Johnson generally acted cautious, leaving decisions up to individual military commanders who were part of the occupation. Other presidents took differing stands, but gradually violence and intimidation of blacks rose in severity during the decades, although President Grant did take stern measures against the KKK, one of if not the most notorious and dangerous white-supremicist group at the time, which in effect destroyed the organization. But even without terror organizations hunting blacks, local and isolated incidents still ocurred (I say isolated only because they were not part of some large network, not because they did not happen all too frequently) institutionalized racism still crippled blacks attempts to enter the political arena. Grandfather clauses, literacy tests (which were supposedly random, but only administered to blacks; the vast majority of Southern whites couldn't read either), and other bureaucratically disguised measures to continue oppressing blacks lingered on, even with the presence of federal troops. The occupying army was generally viewed as unpopular to all parties involved and most everyone wanted the troops returned home as soon as possible. However, it was also a necessary evil as many in the North still didn't fully trust the South, they felt an obligation to protect the freedmen. There were also business interests of industrialists looking to make their fortunes in the new Southern markets and just a simple need for a police force to maintain order and implement federal policy to consider. Finally in 1877 the last federal troops were removed from the South, which was heralded as a great day by most except blacks, who saw their last hope for equality leave with the last federal regiment. It would take almost a century for blacks to finally be treated legally as equal citizens, and the fight for genuine equality at all levels still goes on (although not just in the South, mind you). There is so much more to this topic that I can't hope to answer it here. In fact, I've probably still left out gaping holes or said things that some people would argue about. Good luck!

Answer 2

First off, they weren't slaves any more. Second, it depended on where they were. Many white Americans, whether Northerners or Southerners, were racist even if they were against slavery. That said, many white Northerners felt greater bitterness towards white Southerners than towards African-Americans, although that sentiment had largely shifted by the end of the 19th century. So, you might say that ex-slaves were treated better than slaves but worse than full citizens.

Y8q35gw43vh4 ... please don't offend other users. It's really not funny. I don't know if you think you are smart, and I don't want to offend you, but please don't because it ruins the information which people need to know. Thanks. (p.s. please use a reasonable name next time you make an account)

Answer 3

After the American Civil War the South fairly decimated. Many homesteads, plantations, and even entire cities had been burned to the ground. Poverty was rampant, and thousands of people were unable to feed, clothe, and shelter their families.

Answer 4

He wanted to Reconstruct the South with open arms. Some say that if Lincoln had lived Reconstruction would have gone much more smoother, especially with that tool bag Andrew Johnson out of office.

Answer 5

The words used by Lincoln to conclude his Second Inaugural Address on March 4,1865:

QUOTE

With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive to finish the work we are in; to bind the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan - to do all which may achieve and cherish as just, and a lasting piece, among ourselves, and with all nations.

UNQUOTE,

admirably expressed his thought in merit of that matter.

Answer 6

They had to rebuild almost everything and were in a state of horrible economy

Answer 7

every thing was desroyed and houses and building had to be rebuilt and constucted

Answer 8

Collapse of Confederacy made Confederate money worthless.